Thread: Optimal Thickness of leather?

I don't feel that there is any correct thickness for the leather other than using what feels right. Thick or thin, each hide and type of tannage has a certain feel or temper that determines how stiff or supple it is. If it feels right and does not stretch too much it will work fine.

Some leathers like kangaroo and certain types of horsehide are very think, yet do not stretch and will work well. I have also found that cupping seems less an issue with some of these as the leather is soft enough to flatten under the blade even if they did cut. A thick stiff cupped strop would not conform, where a thick and very soft leather might.

Ohh, I wouldn't worry too much about hitting those Chicago screws....they are inexpensive and easily replaced

Tony

Thanks,Tony, and funny about those chicago screws... LOL

I have seen also that DOVO makes a strop that uses reindeer, and someplace I have seen, correct me if I'm wrong, but Bison (aka Buffalo to us from Nebraska). That's quite a stark difference. Good leather, with no cuts and good grain would be the main criteria, and vegetable tanned as well?
I've even read a post here that a guy used Nubuck (thought it was Italian Suede), and has great result with that. Way to go Burt!!

Add: I also have seen Cordovan Leather for stropping, which is quite higly regarded, and as I understand, a bit on the expensive side.

I don't know about the reindeer from Dovo but they make one called Rindleder which is still cowhide.

Tony

Tony, this is where I got the idea on Reindeer leather from DOVO.. link: Amazon.com: COL. CONK Men's straight RAZOR Leather STROP shave NEW: Sports & Outdoors
Is that real, or perhaps they have the name sort of twisted around?

Rindleder usually translates to "neat's leather" which most commonly refers to cowhide or oxhide. I do remember years ago on one fo the groups someone made a connection with 'rind" somehow translating to either a deer or stag though. I would guess that by the shear numbers of Dovo/Jemico's production these are likely just cowhide which is the most commonly used for strops now days.

Tony

Originally Posted by Gibbs

What would be an optimal thickness of a leather strop for razors? Obviously, one can only get it "so" thick, but I would think that a thin strip of leather would not be preferred over one of 1/8" or better thickness.

And, is horse hide, *rump area* preferred over steer hide, or does that really make a difference?

____________________________________________

Gibbs

Regarding your concerns about strop thickness, I have more than twenty hanging strops including everything from kangaroo to Russian horse butt and numerous bench strops. My kangaroo is very thin and has a silky feel to it. The horse butt is .200" thick and won't be totally effective until I properly break it in.

The most effective strops I have all have a slight to medium draw and my favorite is the English Bridle which I treat with shave cream and lots of rubbing. Buy a strop and try it. If you don't like it, sell it in the classifieds. Then buy another and another until you find one you really like. Or start a collection like I did. It's fun to play.

Howdy Vern,

I personally think the Chicago screws are great to use on strops, and I really don't think anybody will have problems striking them. If you're concerned about it, then just use shorter chicago screws so they "recess" a little into the leather.

I add a little strip of leather between the strop surface and the leather that holds it into place, because I can't find very short chicago screws, so I kind of "build up" the leather from the inside. I don't do this to keep from striking the chicago screws, I only do it because it looks a lot better to have them level with, or slightly recessed into the leather.

Originally Posted by Gibbs

Tony, this is where I got the idea on Reindeer leather from DOVO.. link: Amazon.com: COL. CONK Men's straight RAZOR Leather STROP shave NEW: Sports & Outdoors
Is that real, or perhaps they have the name sort of twisted around?

I don't think that they have the name twisted - they just plain don't understand what they are selling! Prima = 'best' or 'top notch' rind = 'cow' or 'ox' and leder = leder. so its premium quality cow hide. A deer is a 'hirsch' and a reindeer is a 'ren' or 'rentier' - not very similar.

Regards,
Neil